THE relatives of the mum and daughter murdered in Southport today spoke of their devastation of losing the 'integral cogs' within the family.

Angela Holgate, 54, and Alice Huyton, 75, were suffocated in the younger woman's Fairhaven home in Churchtown.

Lodger Barry Morrow is wanted by police after disappearing since the killings and is believed to be in France or Spain.

The 51-year-old was seen travelling from Dover to Calais on Saturday evening by ferry and is being sought by detectives.

The bodies were discovered upstairs by an in-law on Saturday visiting the property.

Speaking on behalf of the family, John Huyton, the son of Alice and brother of Angela, said: "Alice Huyton and her daughter, Angela Holgate, were integral cogs in our close knit family.

"Both Alice and Angela were very popular and led active lives and had many friends.

"They meant so much in the eyes of different family members and held the roles of: Great-Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, Wife, Aunty, Sister and Sister-in-law. The sad loss has had a severe impact on the whole family.

"Jim is distraught at the loss of the 'love of his life', Alice, who was his 'rock'.

"They had been married for 55 years, having known each other since childhood. Angela was their only daughter.

"We are all bewildered and devastated at the loss of two very special people and are finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the senseless murders of Alice and Angela, who were much loved.

"We would like to thank all of our friends, extended family and the community for their continued support and fully appreciate their offers of assistance at this difficult and trying time.

"We appeal to Barry Morrow to return to the United Kingdom and assist the police with their investigation.

"As a family we have released our treasured photographs of Alice and Angela and would ask for privacy to grieve our loss.